Systems and methods for providing a flow of air about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle

Abstract

System and methods are disclosed herein for preventing debris accumulation and/or for removing debris about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle. The sensor may include one or more LIDAR units disposed about the vehicle. An airflow device may be disposed about the lens of the sensor. The airflow device may be configured to provide an airflow about the lens of the sensor. The airflow provided to the lens may be a constant flow of air about the lens at a low pressure and/or bursts of air about the lens at a higher pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a mast;   a first LiDAR unit attached to the mast, wherein the first LiDAR unit comprises a first lens;   a second LiDAR unit attached to the mast, wherein the second LiDAR unit comprises a second lens;   a first tube disposed around the first LiDAR unit, wherein the first tube comprises a first outlet orifice directed towards the first lens, wherein the first outlet orifice is configured to provide an airflow about the first lens to prevent debris accumulation about the first lens and/or remove debris from the first lens; and   a second tube disposed around the second LiDAR unit, wherein the second tube comprises a second outlet orifice directed towards the second lens, wherein the second outlet orifice is configured to provide an airflow about the second lens to prevent debris accumulation about the second lens and/or remove debris from the second lens.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises an angled surface configured to correspond to a field of view of the first LiDAR unit, and
 wherein the second tube comprises an angled surface configured to correspond to a field of view of the second LiDAR unit.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first LiDAR unit, the first tube, and the first outlet orifice are substantially circular, and
 wherein the second LiDAR unit, the second tube, and the second outlet orifice are substantially circular.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises a first baffle therein configured to distribute the airflow within the first tube to ensure sufficient pressure and velocity of the airflow exiting the first outlet orifice to prevent debris accumulation about the first lens and/or remove debris from the first lens, and
 wherein the second tube comprises a second baffle therein configured to distribute the airflow within the second tube to ensure sufficient pressure and velocity of the airflow exiting the second outlet orifice to prevent debris accumulation about the second lens and/or remove debris from the second lens.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises a first inlet in communication with a supply of air, and
 wherein the second tube comprises a second inlet in communication with the supply of air and/or a different supply of air.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first baffle extends across a cross section of the first tube, divides an interior of the first tube into two chambers,
 wherein the first outlet orifice is in one of the two chambers, and   wherein the second baffle extends across a cross section of the second tube, divides an interior of the second tube into two chambers, and wherein the second outlet orifice is in one of the two chambers.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube is a ring and extends at least 30% around a diameter of the first tube, and
 wherein the second tube is a ring and extends at least 30% around a diameter of the second tube.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wash system configured to direct water through the first outlet orifice and the second outlet orifice,   wherein the first tube has a central opening and the first lidar unit extends through and directly contacts the central opening.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first tube is a unitary tube that is slid over the first lens,
 wherein the first tube has a one inlet orifice through which an air and the water from the wash system enter and the inlet orifice is disposed at an outer surface of the first tube,   wherein the second tube is a unitary tube that is slid over the second lens, and   wherein the second tube has a one inlet orifice through which an air and the water from the wash system enter and the inlet orifice is disposed at an outer surface of the second tube.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first tube is configured to circulate the air and the water through a space defined by the outer surface and the inner surface, and
 wherein the second tube is configured to circulate the air and the water through a space defined by the outer surface and the inner surface.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first baffle has a first end connected to an inner surface of the first tube and a second end connected to the inner surface of the first tube, and
 wherein the second baffle has a first end connected to an inner surface of the second tube and a second end connected to the inner surface of the second tube.   
     
     
         12 . A system, comprising:
 a mast;   a sensor attached to the mast, wherein the sensor comprises a lens;   an airflow device disposed around the lens, wherein the airflow device comprises an outlet orifice directed at the lens that is configured to provide an airflow around the lens to prevent debris accumulation around the lens and/or remove debris from the lens; and   a wash system configured to direct water through the outlet orifice,   wherein the airflow device includes a tube disposed around the sensor and having a central opening,   wherein the sensor extends through and directly contacts an inner surface of the central opening of the tube,   wherein the tube is a unitary tube that is slid over the sensor,   wherein the tube has a one inlet orifice through which an air from the airflow device and the water from the wash system enter, and   wherein the inlet orifice is disposed at an outer surface of the tube.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tube is configured to circulate the air and the water through a space defined by the outer surface and the inner surface. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tube comprises multiple segments configured to be attached together around the sensor, and
 wherein the tube is configured to be attached to the sensor via one or more fasteners.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tube extends about 360 degrees around the sensor such that the outlet orifice extends about 360 degrees around the lens.